Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, PDP president Mehbboba Mufti and others on Sunday condemned killings of three youth in Kathua.
In a tweet, Sinha said that orders have been passed for thorough and transparent investigation into the incident, and assured the perpetrators will be brought to book at the earliest.
Taking to micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter), Office of LG J&K said: “I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the brutal killing of Varun Singh, Yogesh Singh and Darshan Singh of Kathua. In this hour of grief, I offer my deepest condolences to their families and friends”.
“I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation, and all the necessary support to the families will be provided. I assure the people that the perpetrators will be brought to book at the earliest. Justice will be ensured and accountability will be fixed,” Office of LG J&K added on X.
Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti and J&K Peoples’ Conference (JKPC) president Sajad Gani Lone also condemned killings of three. The leaders urged authorities to bring real culprits to justice.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti in a post on X said: “The situation in Kathua is deeply alarming. In a short span of time nearly a dozen people from both the Muslim & Hindu communities have lost their lives. Five of them were allegedly chased by police and cow vigilantes which led to fatal accidents. Subsequently the bodies of two members of Hindu community were discovered followed by three more yesterday including the heartbreaking case of a fourteen year old”.
“Tragically, while the police seem more focused on extracting false confessions from victims like Makhan Din the real perpetrators are still at large. Approximately 30 individuals have been charged till date, under the PSA or UAPA often with scant or no evidence,” she said on X.
She added, “There are indications that certain disruptive elements possibly operating both within & across the border maybe stoking communal tensions in this sensitive border district. The authorities must act swiftly yet judiciously to identity and bring the true culprits to justice ensuring that peace and communal harmony is maintained”.
J&K Peoples’ Conference (JKPC) president Sajad Gani Lone also condemned the incident.
“Condemn the killing of three persons in a Bhilawar. It is tragic that these senseless killings continue to persist. Hope the police hunts down the perpetrators. May they rest in peace,” Lone said on X.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding the deaths occurred in Kathua, and expressed his doubts about the possibility of a deeper conspiracy aimed to destabilizing the region by making attempts to revive terrorism in Jammu.
While addressing the gathering in Billawar, the BJP leader Sharma expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and assured them that the BJP, both at the national and local levels, stands firm with them in this moment of sorrow and grief. He vowed to take up the matter at the highest levels to ensure justice for the victims and their families.